On 20th January 2008, a very special group of 60 people wearing sporty and colourful headgear, the trademark Dream A Dream yellow T-shirts stepped into Azad Maidan to participate in the 5th edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and to “RUN FOR A DREAM”

It was a memorable day for Dream A Dream as we had the largest contingent ever participating in the Mumbai Marathon including children from Makkala Jagriti and Vishwas, Our Partner NGOs and ofcourse, our very special volunteers. It was also special as Dream A Dream raised over Rs. 14 L from the Mumbai Marathon, the largest that we have ever raised from any single event. This was possible due to the immense efforts put in by the staff and volunteers to raise invaluable funds for Dream A Dream. Each contribution was special, each rupee raised was special and each email appeal sent by a volunteer helped us reach this stupendous target.

Each of the people – kids, staff and volunteers receive a standing ovation and a dreamy salute for the efforts to make this event a huge success for us.

A special thank you to Holly and Sarah who spent many nights cutting out and making the superbly beautiful and eye-catching head-gear for the Marathon. Thank you to “The Other Design Studio” for designing the beautiful headgear (see photograph). Naheed and Pooja for been absolute rockstars and organizing logistics in Mumbai for all of us. Ofcourse, all the special people who ran and/or pledged their support for Dream A Dream and expressed the solidarity and support to a cause that has grown to become very close to our hearts.

There were a few who challenged themselves and walked the extra mile. Mr and Mrs. Chandramouli, Abhijeet Mehta, Yolanda, Ajay Sampath, Surekha Rao, Vikranth and myself who attempted and successfully completed the 21-km. Bhasker Sharma decided to do the 42-km Full-Marathon and completed it.

There were yet others who challenged themselves in other ways and also achieved success. 8 People - Ekta Hattangady, Abhijeet Mehta, Ajay Sampath, Ajay Raghavan, Bhasker Sharma, Amrita Bhashyam, Namrata Agarwal, and myself who raised over Rs. 50,000/- each and together raised over Rs. 11 Lakhs to help Dream A Dream reach its target.

As the day ended and the children and volunteers were packed off on a train, I looked at the glorious sun setting on the Mumbai horizon and the idea was already brewing in my head. Could we possibly bring a 100 people next year and could be look to raise over Rs. 25 Lakh from the Mumbai Marathon next year. Could we make it and the most fun Fundraising campaign for Dream A Dream ever? A happy smile crossed my face and a new dream had emerged!!! I was itching to get back to work.

So, would you be interested in being part of one of the most successful and fun event at Dream A Dream in the year 2009? Would you want to “RUN FOR A DREAM”? Would you want to impact a little life? If yes, write to me NOW.

Dream A Dream is after all made with dreams and the fulfillment of those dreams.

Vishal Talreja
Director | Ashoka Fellow
Dream A Dream

SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO RAN AND RAISED PLEDGES

Neetu Rawat
Namrata Agarwal
Bhawna Rao
Vishal Talreja
Aravind Nagaraj
Vijaykumar K S
Hayley Nicholls
Ajay Sampath
Vikranth P M
Chandramouli
Mrs. Chandramouli
Amrita Bhashyam
Kiran M Rao
Bobbymon George
Sunil kumar
Bhasker Sharma
Abhijeet Mehta
Ekta Hattangady
Vikram Balakrishna
Bert Cherian
Hamsakumar
Yolanda Kaarsemaker
Naheed Jumani
Holly Smith
Prem Kishore
Sandeep
Chand Pasha
Micheal
Prema
Keerthi
Himabindu
Pavithra
Eshwari
Shilpa Mogilshetty
Ajay Raghavan
Manisha Vinod
Noorein
Maher
Manoj Kochar
Prashanth Sharma
Ramanujam Pobbisetty
Stuart
Manjula
Ansar
Daniel
Murali R
Prabhu D
Bharat K
Naveen K
Durga
Ismail
Amit Tandon
Pooja Warier
Richard Alderson
Puneet
Nayana
Veresh
Megachandra
Monica
Sarvesh Holla
Fiona Pearson
Dinesh
Surekha Rao
Swagata Basak
Sandeep Kashyap